Pacific Crest Trail enthusiasts wanted in Casa de Oro

CASA DE ORO  Dana Law, an El Cajon resident who has traversed all parts of the Pacific Crest Trail, a 2,663-mile long route that ranges in elevation from just above sea level to 13,153 feet, will speak at the Casa de Oro Library on Friday.

Correction

An earlier version of this story misidentified the trail as the Pacific Coast Trail.

The program is free and starts at 10:30 a.m. at 9805 Campo Road, No. 180.

Attendees will learn what it takes to put what Law calls your “house” on your back, what food and gear are indispensable, how to train for the trail, the biggest dangers and how to experience the trail in segments.

“Most San Diego residents aren’t aware the Pacific Crest Trail starts in their backyard and runs all the way to the Canadian border,” Law said. “The library is an ideal place to share this grand adventure and let locals know that they can do it too.”

The trail starts in San Diego County, at the Mexican border near Campo, and continues through the greatest elevation changes of any of America’s National Scenic Trails before eventually reaching Canada.

Along the way it passes through scorching desert, old-growth redwoods, coastal rainforests, arctic-alpine country and other eco-zones.

Nearly 500 people attempt to hike the entire trail in a single season. Thousands hike sections of it, some with the goal of eventually covering all of its 2,650 miles.

Law covered the first segment of the trail in May 2003 and has since completed more than 1,700 miles over the course of 26 separate trips.